In this security, you may go and prepare
your arms, and bespeak the assistance of Pipes, who will squire
you in the field, while I keep myself up, that our correspondence
may not be suspected by the physician." Pallet's spirits, that were
sunk to dejection, rose at this encouragement to all the insolence
of triumph; he again declared his contempt of danger, and his
pistols being loaded and accommodated with new flints, by his trusty
armour-bearer, he waited, without flinching, for the hour of battle.
On the first approach of twilight, somebody knocked at his door,
and Pipes having opened it at his desire, he heard the voice
of his antagonist pronounce, "Tell Mr. Pallet that I am going to
the place of appointment." The painter was not a little surprised
at this anticipation, which so ill agreed with the information he
had received from Pickle; and his concern beginning to recur, he
fortified himself with a large bumper of brandy, which, however,
did not overcome the anxiety of his thoughts. Nevertheless, he set
out on the expedition with his second, betwixt whom and himself
the following dialogue passed, in their way to the ramparts.
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